U.S. patent number 8,388,012 [Application Number 13/397,277] was granted by the patent office on 2013-03-05 for towable impact attenuator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Michael J. Buehler, Bret Eckert, James B. Welch. Invention is credited to Michael J. Buehler, Bret Eckert, James B. Welch.
United States Patent |
8,388,012 |
Buehler , et al. |
March 5, 2013 |
Towable impact attenuator
Abstract
A crash attenuator includes a crash cushion having a front end,
a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed adjacent the
front end. The trailer hitch component is capable of being secured
to a mating hitch component located on the towing vehicle, such
that hitch components are capable of being rotated relative to each
other about a substantially vertical axis. The crash attenuator
further includes at least one wheel supporting the crash cushion.
The wheel is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and is
spaced rearwardly from hitch component. One or more tethers are
positioned on opposite sides of the hitch component and are
moveable relative to one or more guides connected to the crash
cushion.
Inventors: |
Buehler; Michael J. (Roseville,
CA), Eckert; Bret (Rocklin, CA), Welch; James B.
(Placerville, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Buehler; Michael J.
Eckert; Bret
Welch; James B. |
Roseville
Rocklin
Placerville |
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US |
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Assignee: |
Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
(Dallas, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
36678078 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/397,277 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20120146313 A1 |
Jun 14, 2012 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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12976210 |
Dec 22, 2010 |
8136830 |
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11272352 |
Nov 10, 2005 |
7874572 |
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60642699 |
Jan 10, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/474;
280/456.1; 280/460.1; 293/136; 293/146 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60D
1/30 (20130101); B60D 1/167 (20130101); E01F
15/148 (20130101); B60D 1/58 (20130101); B60D
1/14 (20130101); B60D 1/243 (20130101); B62D
63/08 (20130101); B60D 1/50 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01B
59/041 (20060101); B60D 1/14 (20060101); B62D
63/06 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;280/451,455.1,456.1,460.1,461.1,474,482,449
;293/107,109,110,118,119,134,135,136,137,146,148 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 507 496 |
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Oct 1992 |
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EP |
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0 586 071 |
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Mar 1994 |
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EP |
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2 729 979 |
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Aug 1996 |
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FR |
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WO 94/05527 |
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Mar 1994 |
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WO |
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WO 01/87671 |
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Nov 2001 |
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WO |
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WO 2005/085008 |
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Sep 2005 |
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WO |
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Other References
"Texas Crash Cushion Trailer to Protect Highway Maintenance
Vehicles," Marquis, E.L., and Hirsch, T.J., Research Report 146-6,
Research Study No. 2-8-68-146, Texas Transportation Institute,
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, Aug. 1972, 45
pages. cited by examiner .
Letter dated Apr. 15, 2005 from John R. Baxter, P.E., Director,
Office of Safety Design, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration, to Dean L. Sicking, P.E., Ph.D., CEO,
Safety by Design Company dated, Apr. 15, 2005, 6 pages. cited by
applicant .
Dexter Axle, Torflex.RTM. Application Information, pp. 11-13, dated
prior to Jan. 10, 2005. cited by applicant .
"Development of Trailer Attenuating Cushion for Variable Message
Signs and Arrow Boards," Sicking, Dean L., Rohde, John R., and
Reid, John D., Transportation Research Record, No. 1851, Highway
and Facility Design 2003, pp. 65-73. cited by applicant .
"Implementation Package Report No. 74-1--Texas Crash Cushion
Trailer," Brown, Leonard E., PB 231 818, Implementation Division,
Office of Development, Federal Highway Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C., Feb. 1974, 21
pages. cited by applicant .
"Crash Cushion Trailer Protects Workers, Doubles Production Thru
Added Security," Highway Research News, Issue 54, pp. 52-54, 1974.
cited by applicant .
Letter dated Jun. 27, 2006 from John R. Baxter, P.E., Director,
Office of Safety Design, Office of Safety, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, to Michael Kempen,
Impact Absorption, Inc., 5 pages. cited by applicant .
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority in
International Application No. PCT/US05/47157, dated Aug. 8, 2007, 5
pages. cited by applicant .
International Search Report for International Application No.
PCT/US2005/047157, dated Aug. 8, 2007, 2 pages. cited by applicant
.
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the
International Searching Authority for International Application No.
PCT/US2008/052538, dated Jun. 12, 2008, 9 pages. cited by applicant
.
Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/023,013, dated Dec. 7, 2009,
10 pages. cited by applicant .
Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 12/023,013, dated Apr. 7, 2010, 8
pages. cited by applicant .
Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 12/023,013, dated Jun. 3,
2010, 12 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Kramer; James
Assistant Examiner: Scharich; Marc A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brinks Hoffer Gilson &
Lione
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/976,210, filed Dec. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No.
8,136,830 which was a divisional of prior U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/272, 352, filed Nov. 10, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,874,572 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/642,699, filed Jan. 10, 2005, the entire disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A crash attenuator comprising: a crash cushion comprising a
front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed
adjacent said front end; at least one wheel supporting said crash
cushion, wherein said at least one wheel is spaced rearwardly from
said trailer hitch component; and a tether comprising a cable
having opposite end portions positioned on opposite sides of said
trailer hitch component, said opposite end portions each adapted
for connection to a tow vehicle, wherein said tether is guided by
at least one guide connected to said crash cushion and is moveable
relative to said at least one guide when said tether is in a
disengaged condition such that said opposite end portions are
moveable toward and away from said at least one guide
respectively.
2. The crash attenuator of claim 1 further comprising a brake
operable to grip said tether in an engaged condition.
3. The crash attenuator of claim 2 further comprising a surge
activator coupled to said brake, wherein said surge activator
actuates said brake to grip said tether.
4. The crash attenuator of claim 1 wherein said tether is
non-moveable relative to said at least one guide when said tether
is in an engaged condition.
5. The crash attenuator of claim 1 wherein said tether wraps around
at least a portion of said at least one guide.
6. The crash attenuator of claim 1 wherein said at least one guide
comprises a pair of laterally spaced guides disposed on opposite
sides of a centerline defined by said trailer hitch component.
7. A crash attenuator comprising: a crash cushion comprising a
front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed
adjacent said front end; at least one wheel supporting said crash
cushion, wherein said at least one wheel is spaced rearwardly from
said trailer hitch component; a pair of guides coupled to said
crash cushion and laterally spaced on opposite sides of a
centerline defined by said trailer hitch component; and a generally
U-shaped tether comprising a cable having opposite end portions
positioned on opposite sides of said hitch component, said tether
wrapped around said pair of guides and having an intermediate
portion disposed between said guides, wherein said tether is
moveable relative to said guides when in a disengaged condition
such that said opposite end portions are moveable toward and away
from said guides respectively.
8. The crash attenuator of claim 7 further comprising a brake
operable to grip said intermediate portion.
9. The crash attenuator of claim 8 further comprising a surge
activator coupled to said brake, wherein said surge activator
actuates said brake to grip said intermediate portion of said
tether.
10. A crash attenuator comprising: a crash cushion comprising a
front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed
adjacent said front end; at least one wheel supporting said crash
cushion, wherein said at least one wheel is spaced rearwardly from
said trailer hitch component; and a tether comprising a chain
having opposite end portions positioned on opposite sides of said
trailer hitch component, said opposite end portions each adapted
for connection to a tow vehicle, wherein said tether is guided by
at least one guide connected to said crash cushion and is moveable
relative to said at least one guide when said tether is in a
disengaged condition such that said opposite end portions are
moveable toward and away from said at least one guide
respectively.
11. The crash attenuator of claim 10 further comprising a brake
operable to grip said tether in an engaged condition.
12. The crash attenuator of claim 11 further comprising a surge
activator coupled to said brake, wherein said surge activator
actuates said brake to grip said tether.
13. The crash attenuator of claim 10 wherein said tether is
non-moveable relative to said at least one guide when said tether
is in an engaged condition.
14. The crash attenuator of claim 10 wherein said tether wraps
around at least a portion of said at least one guide.
15. The crash attenuator of claim 10 wherein said at least one
guide comprises a pair of laterally spaced guides disposed on
opposite sides of a centerline defined by said trailer hitch
component.
16. A crash attenuator comprising: a crash cushion comprising a
front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed
adjacent said front end; at least one wheel supporting said crash
cushion, wherein said at least one wheel is spaced rearwardly from
said trailer hitch component; a pair of guides coupled to said
crash cushion and laterally spaced on opposite sides of a
centerline defined by said trailer hitch component; and a generally
U-shaped tether comprising a chain having opposite end portions
positioned on opposite sides of said hitch component, said tether
wrapped around said pair of guides and having an intermediate
portion disposed between said guides, wherein said tether is
moveable relative to said guides when in a disengaged condition
such that said opposite end portions are moveable toward and away
from said guides respectively.
17. The crash attenuator of claim 16 further comprising a brake
operable to grip said intermediate portion.
18. The crash attenuator of claim 17 further comprising a surge
activator coupled to said brake, wherein said surge activator
actuates said brake to grip said intermediate portion of said
tether.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a vehicle system capable of attenuating
energy during a crash, and in particular to a crash cushion capable
of being towed behind a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Crash cushions and attenuators are commonly secured to vehicles,
such as trucks, operating on the roadways to protect other vehicles
and their occupants during an impact. Often, such attenuators are
secured to the rear of the truck, or other vehicle, and are
cantilevered rearwardly therefrom. As such, the mounting structure
of the attenuator must be able to support the shear and moment
loads created by the cantilevered crash cushion, thereby leading to
increased costs associated with the manufacture thereof. Moreover,
attachment of the attenuator may be cumbersome.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, a crash attenuator includes a crash cushion having a
front end, a rear end and a trailer hitch component disposed
adjacent the front end. The trailer hitch component is secured to a
mating hitch component located on the towing vehicle, such that
hitch components are capable of being rotated relative to each
other about a substantially vertical axis, for example during turns
or backing operations. The crash attenuator further includes at
least one wheel supporting the crash cushion. The wheel is
rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and is spaced
rearwardly from the substantially vertical axis. The crash
attenuator further includes at least one restraint element operable
between at least a disengaged condition, wherein the crash cushion
is capable of rotating about the substantially vertical axis, and
an engaged condition, wherein the at least one restraint element
constrains rotation of the crash cushion about the substantially
vertical axis.
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general
introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the
following claims. The presently preferred embodiments, together
with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a towable
crash attenuator without a hitching system shown.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the attenuator shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the attenuator shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top view of a towable crash attenuator having a first
embodiment of a hitching system.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the attenuator shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a top view of a towable crash attenuator having a second
embodiment of a hitching system.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the attenuator shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of an extensible/compressible
restraint element.
FIG. 9 is a top view of a towable crash attenuator having a third
embodiment of a hitching system.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the attenuator shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a top view of a towable crash attenuator having a fourth
embodiment of a hitching system.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the attenuator shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a top view of a towable crash attenuator having a fifth
embodiment of a hitching system.
FIG. 14 is a side view of the attenuator shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a top view of a towable crash attenuator having a sixth
embodiment of a hitching system.
FIG. 16 is a side view of the attenuator shown in FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The term "longitudinal" refers to the lengthwise direction 2
between the front and rear of a crash cushion 10, and is aligned
with and defines an axial impact direction generally parallel to
the arrow indicating traffic flow in FIG. 1-3. The term "front,"
"forward," "forwardly" and variations thereof refer to the position
or orientation relative to the end 4 of the crash cushion located
adjacent or proximal to the towing vehicle and distal from the end
that is initially impacted during an axial impact, while the term
"rear," "rearward," "rearwardly" and variations thereof refer to
the position or orientation relative to the tail or end 6 of the
crash cushion located distal from the towing vehicle and which is
initially impacted.
Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show perspective views of a
crash cushion 10 incorporating preferred embodiments of this
invention. In one embodiment, the crash cushion includes a frame 28
defining first and second bays 8,12, with energy dissipating
cartridges 14 disposed in the first and second bays. Suitable crash
cushions are disclosed for example and without limitation in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,092,959 and 6,579,034 and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/628,319, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety. Suitable crash cushions also include
the Safe-Stop.TM. 180 truck mounted attenuator, the Safe-Stop
TMA.RTM. crash attenuator, the Alpha 70k.TM. truck mounted
attenuator, the LS-Pro.TM. truck mounted attenuator, the Alpha
60MD.RTM. truck mounted attenuator and the Alpha 2001 MD TMA.RTM.
crash attenuator all available from Energy Absorption Systems,
Inc., located in Rocklin, Calif., the assignee of the present
application. Of course, it should be understood that other
embodiments of crash cushions, including single bay or cartridge
embodiments, with or without frames, would also work.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, an axle assembly is
secured to a frame structure 16 disposed between and connecting the
first and second bays 8,12. In one embodiment, the intermediate
frame structure 16 is substantially rigid, and does not collapse or
become crushed during a vehicle impact. In one embodiment, the axle
assembly is a torsion/suspension axle assembly, such as a
Torflex.RTM. axle, which includes a main axle 18 and a pair of
wheel axles 22 secured thereto with a pair of arms 24 that rotate
against a biasing force of a torsion spring (not shown). Of course,
it should be understood that other axle configurations, such as
rigid/straight axle, or other suspension axles, including for
example and without limitation leaf or compression springs with
dampening systems, would also work. Two wheels 20 are secured to
the axles 22 on opposite ends of the axle 18. The wheels rotate
about a horizontal axis of rotation 26. The wheels 20 are
preferably spaced from the front end 4 of the crash cushion and are
positioned to carry the load or weight of the crash cushion. The
wheels, which are engaged with the ground, help guide the crash
cushion in the longitudinal direction 2 during an impact.
Referring to FIGS. 4-7 and 9-14, the crash cushion includes a first
hitching component, shown as a tongue 30 having one end 44 secured
to the crash cushion, e.g., the frame, and an opposite free end 40.
The first end can be rotatably secured to the crash cushion, or
non-rotatably fixed thereto. In one embodiment, a pair of brace
members 32 extend from the crash cushion and are secured to the
tongue distal from the first end 44.
A vehicle 34, such as a truck, preferably has a pair of frame rails
36 extending in the longitudinal direction 2. The frame rails are
spaced on opposite sides of a hitching component 38. The hitching
component can include for example and without limitation, a hook,
ball, fifth wheel or other known and suitable devices. The free end
40 of the tongue is configured to mate with the truck hitching
component 38 and can include for example and without limitation, a
loop, a socket or a mating structure for the fifth wheel. The two
hitching components 38, 40 are configured to allow relative
rotation about a vertical axis 46, such that the crash cushion can
rotate relative to the tow vehicle during towing or backing
operations. The hitching components 38, 40 also permit relative
rotation about a horizontal axis, such that the crash cushion can
rotate relative to the towing vehicle about the horizontal axis,
for example when being towed over a bump or through a dip in the
roadway.
Referring to FIGS. 4-16, one or more restraint elements 42 are
connected or engaged between the crash cushion 10 and the towing
vehicle 34. In particular, first and second restraint elements are
positioned on opposite sides of the hitching component, shown as
the tongue 30. In various embodiments, a single restraint element
may be used, or more than two restraint elements may be used.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the restraint elements 42 are shown as
rigid struts. The struts can be moved to a disengaged condition,
wherein one or both ends of the strut are disengaged from the
vehicle 34 and/or crash cushion 10. For example, in one embodiment,
the struts have one end 48 pivotably secured to the crash cushion
about a vertical axis. The struts, and in particular the ends 48,
are pivoted sidewardly to a disengaged condition/position wherein
the struts do not restrain the rotation of the crash cushion
relative to the towing vehicle about the vertical axis 46. In
another embodiment, the struts are pivoted upwardly or downwardly
about a horizontal axis. When in this travel, non-impact position,
wherein the restraints are in the disengaged condition/position,
the truck and trailer can negotiate tight turns and backing
situations.
When the vehicle is in a position where crash protection is
desired, for example when parked along the side of a highway, the
struts 42 are pivoted into an engaged condition or position,
preferably with the free ends 50 thereof being secured to the
vehicle adjacent respective frame rails 36, for example with a pin,
latch or other device, such that the impact load is transferred to
the frame rails. In the engaged condition, the restraint elements
constrain rotation of the trailer crash cushion relative to the tow
vehicle, and rotation of the first hitching component relative to
the second hitching component, about the vertical axis. The terms
"constrain" and "restrain," and variations thereof, refer to
substantially preventing or restricting relative movement.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the restraint elements 42
are positioned in a substantially horizontal plane spaced above a
horizontal plane of the hitch tongue 30, and preferably in
alignment with the frame rails 36. It should be understood that the
struts could alternatively be pivotally secured to the vehicle and
rotated into the engaged condition/position by releasably securing
the struts to the crash cushion. In yet another embodiment, both
ends 48, 50 of the strut are releasably secured to the vehicle and
crash cushion respectively, such that the struts are completely
removed and disconnected from the vehicle and crash cushion,
whereinafter they can be stored on the truck or trailer when in the
disengaged condition/position.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the restraint elements 42 are
configured as extensible/compressible cylinders, which are used in
the same orientation as the rigid struts when in the engaged
condition/position, but remain in place during impact conditions
and during travel or backing, i.e., the restraint elements 42 are
secured between the crash cushion 10 and the tow vehicle 34 while
in the engaged and disengaged conditions. The cylinders are
preferably fluid cylinders, including for example and without
limitation pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders. In one embodiment,
two restraint element cylinders are plumbed together and include a
single valving arrangement 52 that permits fluid flow to and from
the piston cylinders during normal turning or backing, such that
the restraint elements 42 can be extended or compressed, i.e.,
their length can be varied. During an impact, however, the valving
arrangement 52 constrains or limits the fluid flow, thereby locking
the cylinders, or putting them in an engaged condition, such that
they act as rigid members and prevent rotation of the crash cushion
10 relative to the vehicle 34, and rotation of the trailer hitch
component 40 relative to the vehicle hitch component 38, about the
vertical axis 46. In one embodiment, the valving arrangement 52
includes a restrictive orifice that precludes instantaneous fluid
flow therethrough.
In another embodiment, a trailer surge activator 90 is connected to
and incorporated into the valving arrangement 52. The surge
activator closes one or more valves at each cylinder, or single
valve connected to both cylinders, during an impact. As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7, two-stage telescoping cylinders are used as the
restraint element 42 to achieve 90 degrees rotation travel of the
crash cushion relative to the tow vehicle about the vertical axis.
In other embodiments, a single stage, or cylinders with more than
two-stages can be used. As shown in FIG. 8, a pair of single-stroke
cylinders 54 can be secured to each other to form a single
restraint element, thereby providing increased travel capability.
In this embodiment, the ram extensions 56 from the cylinders extend
in opposite directions from the assembly.
It should be understood that a single valve can control the flow to
both restraint elements, or that each restraint element can have
its own control valve. Of course, more than two valves can also be
used. Preferably, both ends 48, 50 of the restraint elements are
pivotally secured to the crash cushion and the vehicle
respectively, again with the ends of the cylinders secured to the
vehicle preferably being positioned adjacent the frame rails 36
such that the loads from the cylinder are transferred to the frame
rails.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a telescoping, or
extensible/compressible trailer tongue 58 is disclosed. The
telescoping trailer tongue includes a shear element 60, such as a
shear pin, that is sheared or breaks upon impact by a vehicle
against the crash cushion, thereby allowing the tongue to collapse
or compress and travel forward such that the length thereof is
reduced from a first to a second length until impact pads 62 on the
trailer strike or engage corresponding impact pads/elements 64 on
the rear of the truck. The impact pads/elements 62, 64 define the
restraint element. When the pads 62, 64 are engaged on one or both
sides of the trailer/truck, such that the restraint elements are in
the engaged condition/position, rotation of the crash cushion
trailer with respect to the truck is constrained.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, each of the restraint members 42,
shown as fluid cylinders, are secured to an intermediate portion 66
of the trailer hitch tongue 30. In this application, the fluid
cylinder is located above the trailer tongue and mount on the truck
outboard as explained above. The restraint elements 42 may have to
be angled from the tongue to the mounting portion of the truck, or
different brackets can be secured to one or both of the tongue and
truck to accommodate the height differential. For example, in one
embodiment (now shown), bracket is secured to the frame rail and
includes a portion aligned in the same plane with the tongue. By
attaching the cylinders to the tongue, a convention,
single-stage/stroke cylinder can be used while still permitting
rotation of the crash cushion relative to the vehicle and the
trailer hitch component relative to the vehicle hitch component
when the restraint elements are in the disengaged condition.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 6-12, the restraint elements primarily
work in compression to constrain rotation of the trailer crash
cushion relative to the two vehicle, such that one or the other or
both of the restraint elements are constraining such rotation. Of
course, the restraint elements also provide some tension resistance
on the other side of the hitching component. The restraint elements
of FIGS. 3 and 4 work both in tension and compression.
Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the restraint element 42 works almost
exclusively in tension. In particular, a properly sized tether 68,
for example a cable or chain, has one end 72 attached on one side
of the truck, e.g. adjacent a frame rail 36. The tether 68 travels
past and is disposed on a pair of horizontally spaced guides 70
positioned on opposite sides of the front portion 4 of the crash
cushion, e.g., on the trailer frame, and back to the other side of
the truck where the other end 74 of the tether is secured, e.g.,
adjacent the other frame rail 36. During normal trailering and
backing motions, the restraint element, or tether 68, is in a
disengaged condition, such that the trailer crash cushion 10 is
able to rotate from side to side about the vertical axis 46,
thereby translating the tether element 68 relative to the guides
70.
During an impact situation, a trailer surge activator 90, or other
sensor, actuates a brake 76, which grips the tether element 68 and
prevents movement thereof relative to the guides 70. The immobile
tether element 68 is thereby put in an engaged condition, such that
the portion thereof opposite the direction of rotation is placed in
tension and restrains rotation of the trailer crash cushion 10
relative to the vehicle 34 about the vertical axis 46.
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, a free end 80 of each of a pair of
tether elements 82 are connected to opposite sides of the vehicle,
for example adjacent the frame rail 36. The other end of the tether
elements are gathered by a retraction mechanism 84, which winds up
or lets out the tether element 82 during normal trailering
movements, i.e., when in the disengaged condition. In the event of
an impact, the retraction mechanism 84 grips or brakes the tether
element 82, thereby putting the restraining element in an engaged
condition, either by activation from a surge activator 90 or by
centrifugal motion of elements within the mechanism (similar to a
seat belt). The retraction mechanism 84 thereby restrains the
movement of the tether element 82 and the rotation of the crash
cushion 10 relative to the vehicle 34, or rotation between the
respective hitch components 38, 40, about the vertical axis 46.
In another embodiment (not shown), a custom hitch assembly
incorporates braking elements to prevent rotation between the hitch
components themselves. During an impact condition, a surge
activator, or other sensor/device, actuates a braking mechanism on
the hitch thereby constraining rotation between the hitch
components which are in the engaged condition. For example, a
friction brake assembly can be configured and incorporated into a
fifth wheel assembly. In this embodiment, the restraining element
is the brake and hitch components themselves, and does not require
any additional struts, cylinders or cables. During regular towing
or backing, the restraining elements are put in a disengaged
condition.
In a similar embodiment (not shown), the hitch incorporates a
hydraulic damper. During normal trailering operations, wherein the
restraining element is in the disengaged condition, the rotation of
the trailer relative to the truck is permitted by flow of fluid
through a valving arrangement in the hitch component. In the event
of an impact, the restraining element is operable in the engaged
condition, wherein the flow of fluid is restricted or stopped, for
example by a signal from the surge activator, such that the hitch
components are constrained from rotating relative to each
other.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the
foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather
than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all
equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *